Bears should target Seahawks running backs in potential trade for offensive upgrade

The Chicago Bears have bigger needs than at running back right now. See: Left tackle.

But it’d certainly be nice if general manager Ryan Poles could deliver a bell cow back to Ben Johnson, who he could feature in Year 1 of his tenure with the Bears.

If there’s one team Poles should consider ringing in a potential trade, it’s the Seattle Seahawks, who feature two starting-quality running backs in Ken Walker and Zach Charbonnet.

Charbonnet, in particular, showcased his dynamic skill set in Week 2’s preseason outing against the Kansas City Chiefs, where he ran five times for 45 yards and one touchdown.

Walker, meanwhile, is on a maintenance plan while he nurses a foot injury that the Seahawks have said isn’t serious.

Both running backs entered the NFL as second-round picks (in back-to-back years) and offer different skill sets. Walker is the home-run hitter, a guy who can take it to the house from anywhere on the field. Charbonnet is a bigger, more lumbering running back, around whom a team can build a power running game.

Walker’s best season came during his rookie year (2022) when he ran for 1,050 yards and nine scores. Injuries have limited him to 26 games over the last two years, and his yards per carry dipped to a career-worst 3.7 in 2024. He was victimized by a horrendous offensive line.

Charbonnet has played second-fiddle to Walker during his first two years as a pro. He set career highs in 2024 with 569 yards and eight touchdowns, and is poised for even more in 2025, especially if Walker’s health struggles continue.

The Bears’ current running back room includes D’Andre Swift as the starter, and a hodgepodge of backups that will most likely feature seventh-round rookie Kyle Monangai as the No. 2, and a battle between Roschon Johnson and Travis Homer as the RB3.

It’s a relatively uninspiring group, even if there is some upside and excitement around Monangai right now.

Ken Walker is an ideal Chicago Bears trade target

The Seahawks may be willing to answer a call from the Bears, too. Ken Walker is in the final year of his rookie contract. It’s unlikely they’ll pay him a premium running back contract, given his injury history, and with Charbonnet ready to be a lead dog.

Would Seattle take a fourth-rounder for Walker? If so, it’s an easy deal for the Chicago Bears to make. A third-round pick? Poles may have to hesitate just a bit before pulling the trigger on a trade like that, but it’s one he should consider because of Walker’s game-wrecking upside.

Trades aren’t uncommon this time of year, especially when teams begin to build their final 53-man roster. It requires a forward-thinking approach that extends beyond just the 2025 season. And it’s why the Seahawks running back room could be ripe for the taking.

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